Craving a sweet treat that's both delicious and incredibly easy to make? Look no further than these irresistible Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies.
Made with only 4 ingredients, you can whip up a batch of soft, chewy cookies that are bursting with peanutty flavor.
Looking for more easy desserts? Check out all the other cake mix hacks that will help you create a delicious recipe for your family!
Here's a little fun fact you may or may not know about me, I bake a lot. And not just for my family. As a result, I'm always looking for easy and delicious recipes.
I love the idea of making cookies from a cake mix. Using a cake mix to bake cookies is just one of my Cake Mix Baking Secrets I share with you on this site.
Be sure to save the recipe card at the end of this post so you can bake them again and again.
Craving a delicious twist on this recipe? Try making chocolate peanut butter cake mix cookies by simply adding the amount of peanut butter listed in the recipe card below to a box of chocolate cake mix and get ready for a truly YUMMY treat!
Table of Contents
What Size Cake Mix?
Have you noticed lately that boxed cake mixes have changed sizes? They used to be 18 ounces and then they dropped down to 16 ounces. The boxes I currently have sitting in my pantry are sized 15.25 ounces.
How does this affect a recipe that calls for a cake mix?
- If preparing a cake from the cake mix, you may notice that cake doesn't rise as high as it used to.
- When making cupcakes from a cake mix, you may end up with one less cupcake.
- The same goes for baking cookies from a cake mix. You may not get as many cookies as you did when the cake mix boxes were slightly larger.
How to Adjust for a Smaller Box Cake Mix?
I did some research online and found that for some people the new sizes of boxed cake mix is affecting, not only this recipe for Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies, but other recipes that use a cake mix as an ingredient.
- Keep an extra box of yellow cake mix stored in a plastic container or one of my favorite mason jars.
- Add 3 to 6 tablespoons of the yellow cake mix to ANY flavor boxed cake mix. It doesn't matter if it's a chocolate cake mix or a strawberry cake mix.
- Once everything is combined completely, it will be fine and you won't be able to tell you added yellow cake mix to a chocolate cake mix, spice cake mix or even a strawberry cake mix.
Expert Tip
Baking with new, smaller cake mix boxes got you stumped? No worries! My Homemade Cake Mix recipe is the perfect pantry staple for those times when you need a little extra to adjust for those pesky size differences.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Reynolds Kitchens Cookie Baking Sheets,More InformationBakeware Nonstick Cookie Sheet BakingMore Information6-Piece Nonstick Oven Bakeware BakingMore InformationCookie Scoop SetMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Chocolate Peanut Butter: Swap the yellow cake mix for a chocolate cake mix.
Spice it Up: Use a spice cake mix or add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough.
Candy Pieces: Add a cup of semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips for a classic peanut butter-chocolate combo. Try peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or even M&M's.
Chopped Nuts: Add chopped peanuts, almonds, or pecans for extra crunch and flavor.
Step-by-Step Directions:
Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs, oil, and peanut butter, whisking until you have a smooth and creamy mixture. Gently fold in the cake mix, stirring until everything is just combined - avoid overmixing! Chill for about 30 minutes. This will make the dough easier to handle and help your cookies bake up nice and thick.
Step 2: Scoop out the chilled dough using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, then drop the mounds onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Give your fork a light dusting of flour and gently press it into each cookie, creating a classic criss-cross pattern.
Top Tip
Chilling the dough is highly recommended as it makes it easier to handle, especially with cake mix cookies which tend to be a bit stickier than regular cookie dough due to the extra oil.
Baking Instructions
Step 3: Bake the cookies in a preheated 350°F oven for 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Before You Begin!
If you make this recipe, please leave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.
Storing, Freezing, and Thawing Tips
Refrigerator: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay soft and chewy for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Make sure they're completely cooled, then flash freeze them on a baking tray for 60 minutes. Then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They'll stay good in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Thawing: Allow the cookies to either defrost in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a bit.
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Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup oil
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons sugar for top of cookies optional
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs, oil and peanut butter until well combined.
- Add the cake mix until completely combined.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, place the cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Using a fork, slightly floured, press the fork into each cookie to form the "cross hatch" design.
- Sprinkle a little of the sugar on the top of each cookie if desired.
- Bake in a 350 preheated degree oven for 10 minutes or just until they are slightly browned.
- Remove from the baking sheet to cool.
- Serve with a glass of cold milk because cookies need a glass of milk!
Notes
This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2014 with new photos and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!
Estelle Forrest says
I love making cookies from cake mixes. These sound delish! Thanks for sharing on SSPS, I hope to see you again next week. I will be featuring your recipe.
Clearissa Coward says
Oh I love this recipe. Few ingredients and easy peasy. This is the best. Thanks for sharing at #omhgww and Merry Christmas. Pinned and tweeted.
Lois says
Thank you!!
Terri says
Can I use a white cake mix?
Lois says
Yes, a white cake mix would work too. Thank you!
Terri says
Img! They were terrific! I baked them with my special needs niece. She was able to do the whole thing. We added m & ms to ours. They were yummy!
Michelle Z says
Can you use a sugar~free yellow cake mix for these cookies?
Par says
Absolutely, love the fact I can make these sugarfree and lowfat!
Lois says
Thank you!
Sherri Hadaway says
I love to bake from scratch but sometimes don't have time or all ingredients, these are delicious.
Lois says
Thank you Sherri!!
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
You had me hooked with the mention of peanut butter cookies. Those are some of my favorites and I love how easy it is to make them with a cake mix and following your recipe. Can't wait to try them out. Thanks for sharing. #HomeMattersParty
Sandy Braun says
Used a chocolate cake mix and my husband loved them.
Lois says
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for leaving a comment.
Netty Skog says
How many cookies does one box make?
Lois says
I sent you an email as well as replying here in the thread. Please check you spam folder if you don't see my email. This recipe should give you 2 dozen cookies depending on how big a scoop you use. Thank you for visiting.
Sandy says
Excellent recipe! I "pinch" the dough a little after I pressed lightly with fork to make a peanut shape. After they're cook, I put peanut butter icing to one cookie, top with another and -viola - my version of nutter butter cookies. They are really good!
Lois says
That sounds like a great idea! Thanks for visiting.
ColleenB.~Tx. says
cake mix cookies are a quick and easy way for the young ones to get in the kitchen to bake.
Starting out young our now 11 year old grand daughter is now able to make cake mix cookies all by herself now and she really enjoys baking and working in the kitchen and it all started out her making cake mix cookies.
Lois says
Thank you so much for visiting! I love hearing the story about your granddaughter learning to bake with cake mix cookies. Hope you come back again!
Sarah says
I wish people would learn how to truly bake instead of using cheap shortcuts. It really is a dying art.
Lois says
I agree! But a lot of people are busy and these cookies are an easy recipe to help busy families. Here's a homemade peanut butter cookie recipe also on my site you might enjoy: https://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/peanut-butter-blossoms/
Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment!
Laurie says
does it make a difference if the cake mix has pudding in it?
Lois says
I don't believe it does! Thank you!
Cindy says
Could you use crunchy peanut butter?
Lois says
Yes, I believe you can. I sent you an email as well Cindy. I hope you received it!
Nancy says
Can you use chocolate cake mix?
Lois says
Yes! I have a recipe on my site that uses a chocolate cake mix for cookies. You can find it here https://walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/easy-boxed-cake-mix-cookies/
Thanks for visiting today Nancy!
Carol says
Mmmmmm use chocolate cake mix ❤️
Lois says
That sounds good too! Thanks for visiting!
Kim~madeinaday says
I love that you used cake mix! How easy! Sharing! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Hope to see ya next week!
Kim
Cindy says
We did these with our kids at Church. They were easy to make and were very good. It is now my go to for peanut butter cookies.
Lois says
Thanks for letting me know! Glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Catherine says
Dear Lois, I am a peanut butter lover!! so these cookies are perfect for me. Blessings, Catherine
Joy says
Your cookies look delicious, Lois, and I love that you served them with a big glass of cold milk! Mmmm. Now I want a plate of those cookies, AND a plate of your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars! Perfect for chasing the "Mondays" away... 😉
Pinning and sharing on Facebook! 🙂